Chicken sitting vs chicken boarding

Which came first, chicken sitting or chicken boarding? We may never know, but what we do know is that it’s worth having a look at both of these chicken care options. Deciding what’s best for you and your flock will ultimately be your decision (and your chickens’ choice, of course), but we’d like to offer some words of guidance to help.

Here’s everything you need to know about the differences between chicken sitting vs chicken boarding, along with their pros and cons, to help you peck the best choice for your chickens.

What is chicken sitting?

Chicken sitting is done by either hiring or finding a person to care for your chickens in their own home while you, their pet parent, are away from home for at least one night. In-home chicken sitting (the kind you find at TrustedHousesitters) offers an exchange of trust with no money involved - the sitter cares for your chucks while they stay in your home. Care includes everything from feeding, cleaning, interacting, and any other chicken chores that need to be done.

If you’re happy to pay for a chicken sitter, they usually cost anywhere from $15 to $50 a day (that’s between £10 and £30 in the UK, or €10 and €50). This all depends on how much care your cluckers require as well as how many chickens are in your flock.

If you're thinking about welcoming a chicken sitter to care for your flock, check out this handy chicken sitting checklist or read our guide on 'how to find a good chicken sitter'.

What is chicken boarding?

Chicken boarding is a secure place you can take your pet chickens to when you need to be away. These places are run by professional animal handlers who have expert knowledge of chicken and poultry care, will keep them safely in a hen house on-site, feed and clean them out each day, and keep an eye on their health.

The cost of chicken boarding is very similar to paid chicken sitting, though extra fees may be added if you request additional cleaning, interactions, or outside space. This will, of course, depend on the facility and where the chicken boarding is located.

Chicken sitting

Pros

In-home pet care relieves the stress of moving your chickies to an unfamiliar place, away from their usual smells and scratching ground. All pets are happier at home, and vets agree! It adds extra peace of mind to your travel plans knowing your pet family and your home are being looked after in real time.

For some chicken carers, chicken boarding just isn’t physically possible if they have a large flock. It removes any complications around logistics and additional planning on top of organizing a trip away.

Cons

Chicken sitting, like all pet sitting, is an exchange of trust which isn’t suitable for everyone. We understand this type of arrangement can create anxiety, particularly if you’re unfamiliar with the sitter you’ve selected and you’re new to the sitting experience. While all our chicken sitters are referenced and verified (as hired professionals would be too), we appreciate how big of a leap this can be for some.

Chicken boarding

Pros

You’ll know exactly where your flock is, how often they’ll be checked each day, and that they’ll have direct access to vet care should any chickens need it. Chicken boarding facilities are safe and secure, with plenty of people to care for them during their stay.

While a chicken pet sitter may have experience in looking after chickens, the handlers running a chicken boarding center will have been trained and certified to administer basic first aid and medicines.

Cons

There are two cons with chicken boarding: Lack of space and the spread of diseases. It’s important to highlight that these facilities are very well cared for and cleaned several times a day. However, disease can be sneaky, and sometimes, no matter how cautious carers are, diseases slip through the next.

Lack of space may not be a problem for some places, however, not everywhere will have enough capacity to exercise every chicken they’re caring for. Similarly, stimulating activities like foraging and pecking might have to wait until your chickies are back home.

Are you a chicken carer who needs a sitter? Check out the latest chicken sitters available near you to come and care for your cluckers. Not sure if chicken sitting is right for you? Head to our Community Forum to connect with other poultry people and ask what their preference is for chicken care when they’re away.